All eyes will be on the New York Islanders in 2025–2026 thanks to the debut of first overall pick Matthew Schaefer. The young defenseman arrives with big expectations as he looks to help get “the other New York team” back on track after a few years of being stuck in the middle.
Now, with Schaeffer joining a core of Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat, and Hall of Famer Patrick Roy bringing his trademark fire behind the bench, there’s hope this defense-first roster can finally blend youth and experience into a winning formula. Add in Ilya Sorokin’s elite goaltending and the energy of the UBS Arena crowd, and the Isles suddenly become one of the NHL’s most compelling storylines.
Catching every game on TV, though, isn’t always easy. Between regional broadcasts, national exclusives, and streaming blackouts, you’ll need the right mix of services to keep up. That’s where this guide comes in—I’ll walk you through all your options so you don’t miss a moment of Islanders hockey this season.
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What channels have New York Islanders games?
In the U.S., most New York Islanders games air on MSG Sportsnet (MSGSN), the regional network serving the New York City metro area, Long Island, and nearby regions. Local fans can watch MSG through various TV providers or stream it with an MSG+ subscription using The Gotham Sports App.
For fans outside the Islanders’ home market, nearly every regular-season game streams on ESPN+. Nationally televised matchups will also appear on ABC, ESPN, and TNT, though these broadcasts are typically blacked out on regional channels.
Want radio coverage? Islanders games are carried locally on WRHU 88.7 FM (Hofstra University Radio) as part of the team’s unique student-run broadcast partnership. The feed is also simulcast on affiliate stations across Long Island and the New York metro area via the Islanders Radio Network.
Fans outside the broadcast region can stream coverage online through the Audacy app or the Islanders’ official team app.
Islanders channels for Canadian fans
In Canada, Islanders games air nationally on Sportsnet (English) and TVA Sports (French). For full-season access, Sportsnet+ is the go-to option, offering every out-of-market NHL game without blackout restrictions and replacing the old NHL Live service. Starting with the 2024–2025 season, some Monday night matchups also stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, which requires a separate subscription.
2025–2026 New York Islanders TV schedule
The Islanders’ 2025–2026 season is packed with must-watch matchups—from rivalry clashes with the Rangers and Devils to divisional battles that could define their playoff hopes. With first overall pick Matthew Schaeffer making his debut, every game will be under the spotlight—whether it’s a national TV showcase or a weeknight tilt on MSG Sportsnet.
Below is the full New York Islanders TV schedule for the 2025–2026 season, complete with dates, start times, and channel listings.
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
|
October |
|||
| At Pittsburgh Penguins | Thursday, Oct. 9 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Washington Capitals | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Winnipeg Jets | Monday, Oct. 13 | 1:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Edmonton Oilers | Thursday, Oct. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| At Ottawa Senators | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 3:00 p.m. | MSG |
| San Jose Sharks | Tuesday, Oct. 21 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Detroit Red Wings | Thursday, Oct. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Philadelphia Flyers | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 12:30 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Boston Bruins | Tuesday, Oct. 28 | 7:15 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Carolina Hurricanes | Thursday, Oct. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| At Washington Capitals | Friday, Oct. 31 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN, NHL Network |
|
November |
|||
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Sunday, Nov. 2 | 5:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Boston Bruins | Tuesday, Nov. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Minnesota Wild | Friday, Nov. 7 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At New York Rangers | Saturday, Nov. 8 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At New Jersey Devils | Monday, Nov. 10 | 7:00 p.m. | MSG2 |
| At Vegas Golden Knights | Thursday, Nov. 13 | 10:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Utah Mammoth | Friday, Nov. 14 | 9:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Colorado Avalanche | Sunday, Nov. 16 | 9:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Dallas Stars | Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 8:00 p.m. | MSG2 |
| At Detroit Red Wings | Thursday, Nov. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | MSG2 |
| St. Louis Blues | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 3:30 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Seattle Kraken | Sunday, Nov. 23 | 5:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Boston Bruins | Wednesday, Nov. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Friday, Nov. 28 | 4:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Washington Capitals | Sunday, Nov. 30 | 1:00 p.m. | MNMT, MSGSN, NHL Network |
|
December |
|||
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Tuesday, Dec. 2 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Colorado Avalanche | Thursday, Dec. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Tampa Bay Lightning | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Florida Panthers | Sunday, Dec. 7 | 5:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 7:00 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| Anaheim Ducks | Thursday, Dec. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 3:30 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Detroit Red Wings | Tuesday, Dec. 16 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Vancouver Canucks | Friday, Dec. 19 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Buffalo Sabres | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 5:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| New Jersey Devils | Tuesday, Dec. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| New York Rangers | Saturday, Dec. 27 | 6:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Columbus Blue Jackets | Sunday, Dec. 28 | 5:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Chicago Blackhawks | Tuesday, Dec. 30 | 8:30 p.m. | MSGSN |
|
January |
|||
| Utah Mammoth | Thursday, Jan. 1 | 3:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| New Jersey Devils | Tuesday, Jan. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| At Nashville Predators | Thursday, Jan. 8 | 8:00 p.m. | MSG2 |
| At Minnesota Wild | Saturday, Jan. 10 | 8:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Winnipeg Jets | Tuesday, Jan. 13 | 8:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Edmonton Oilers | Thursday, Jan. 15 | 9:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Calgary Flames | Saturday, Jan. 17 | 3:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Vancouver Canucks | Monday, Jan. 19 | 10:00 p.m. | MSG2 |
| At Seattle Kraken | Wednesday, Jan. 21 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| Buffalo Sabres | Saturday, Jan. 24 | 1:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Philadelphia Flyers | Monday, Jan. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| New York Rangers | Wednesday, Jan. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| At New York Rangers | Thursday, Jan. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | MSG2 |
| Nashville Predators | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
|
February |
|||
| At Washington Capitals | Monday, Feb. 2 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| At New Jersey Devils | Thursday, Feb. 5 | 7:00 p.m. | MSG2 |
| At Montreal Canadiens | Thursday, Feb. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Columbus Blue Jackets | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 6:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
|
March |
|||
| Florida Panthers | Sunday, March 1 | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| At Anaheim Ducks | Wednesday, March 4 | 10:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Los Angeles Kings | Thursday, March 5 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| At San Jose Sharks | Saturday, March 7 | 10:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At St. Louis Blues | Tuesday, March 10 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| Los Angeles Kings | Friday, March 13 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Calgary Flames | Saturday, March 14 | 7:00 p.m. | MSG2 |
| At Toronto Maple Leafs | Tuesday, March 17 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Ottawa Senators | Thursday, March 19 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Montreal Canadiens | Saturday, March 21 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Sunday, March 22 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Tuesday, March 24 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Dallas Stars | Thursday, March 26 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Florida Panthers | Saturday, March 28 | 1:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Monday, March 30 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Buffalo Sabres | Tuesday, March 31 | 7:00 p.m. | MSG2 |
|
April |
|||
| Philadelphia Flyers | Friday, April 3 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| At Carolina Hurricanes | Saturday, April 4 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Thursday, April 9 | 7:00 p.m. | MSG2 |
| Ottawa Senators | Saturday, April 11 | 1:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Montreal Canadiens | Sunday, April 12 | 6:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Tuesday, April 14 | 7:00 p.m. | MSGSN |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the New York Islanders
Because the NHL splits coverage between regional and national networks, the best way to watch the Islanders depends on whether you’re in their home market or following them from afar.
Islanders coverage in the United States
If you live in the New York metro area, Long Island, or surrounding regions, most Islanders games will air on MSG Sportsnet. The channel is available through local cable providers like Optimum and Verizon Fios, or via streaming platforms such as Fubo and Stream with DIRECTV.
DIRECTV’s CHOICE package is the most complete option, carrying MSGSN along with ESPN, TNT, and ABC for national coverage. Fubo is a solid value pick for sports fans, though it doesn’t always include every national channel. If you’d rather skip a full bundle, The Gotham Sports App offers direct-to-consumer streaming of all MSG broadcasts.
For out-of-market fans in the U.S., nearly every regular-season game streams on ESPN+ at a relatively low cost. But you’ll still need a live TV service to catch nationally televised matchups on ABC, ESPN, or TNT. Hulu + Live TV is a standout option because it bundles ESPN+ and Disney+ with its live TV lineup. That gets you a ton of coverage—from out-of-market games to national broadcasts and added ESPN+ content—though some of it requires using the ESPN app.
Canadian TV and streaming options
In Canada, Islanders games appear on Sportsnet (English) and TVA Sports (French) as part of the NHL’s national broadcast package. For full-season access, Sportsnet+ Premium is the most reliable option, offering every out-of-market NHL game without blackout restrictions.
As of last season, select Monday night matchups also stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, which requires a standalone subscription.
How to watch the New York Islanders for free
The simplest way to watch Islanders games for free is by using trial offers from live TV streaming services. DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV all carry national NHL channels, so lining up a trial with a big game is an easy win.
You can also grab ESPN+ on a monthly plan and cancel before the first billing date if you only need short-term out-of-market access.
In Canada, nationally televised games on Sportsnet or TVA Sports may already be part of your TV package, while Sportsnet+ and TSN+ sometimes offer free trials. With select Monday night games on Amazon Prime Video, Canadian fans can also take advantage of Prime Video’s 30-day free trial. Also, keep an eye out for Hockey Night in Canada games, which stream free on CBC Gem.
How to watch the New York Islanders FAQ
How can I watch the New York Islanders if I don’t live in Brooklyn?
If you’re outside the Islanders’ local market, the easiest way to follow the team is with ESPN+, which streams nearly every out-of-market regular-season game. For nationally televised matchups, you’ll also need a live TV streaming service such as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or DIRECTV.
Does ESPN+ show every Islanders game?
Not every game. ESPN+ carries all out-of-market Islanders regular-season matchups that aren’t picked up for national broadcast. When a game airs nationally on ESPN or TNT Sports channels, it’s blacked out on ESPN+. The good news: ESPN+ still offers full replays after games end, so you can catch every matchup on demand even if you miss it live.
How can I stream MSGSN without cable?
You don’t need a cable package to watch Islanders games on MSG Sportsnet (MSGSN). The former MSG+ service is now accessible within The Gotham Sports App, offering direct-to-consumer streaming of live games and original programming on your devices. MSGSN is also available through live TV streaming platforms like Fubo and DIRECTV in the New York market, making it easy to follow the Isles without traditional cable.
Can the Islanders get back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season?
The Islanders missed the postseason last year but still have the pieces to make a push. Ilya Sorokin provides elite goaltending, while a younger wave of talent—highlighted by Russian forwards Maxim Tsyplakov and Maxim Shabanov, plus top draft pick Matthew Schaeffer—adds fresh upside. Veterans like Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat remain key drivers up front, but the development of those younger players could ultimately tip the balance. The Metropolitan Division is always competitive, yet if Sorokin stays sharp and the kids deliver, the Isles have enough to fight their way back into the playoff picture.
Why you should trust us
This guide was written by CableTV.com contributor Ian McLaren, a lifelong NHL fan who has covered the league for nearly two decades. He’s also an unapologetic admirer of the Islanders’ infamous 1990s “fisherman” jerseys—once ridiculed, now celebrated as one of hockey’s most iconic retro looks. Much like the Isles themselves, they’re proof that what was once dismissed can come roaring back with fresh energy.
To ensure Islanders fans get the most reliable info, Ian reviewed the full 2025–2026 NHL broadcast schedule. He sorted through all the complex regional blackouts, streaming rights, and national TV deals to create this clear and accurate viewing guide.
Check out CableTV.com’s How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
